Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce Chairman John Musella spoke with KHTS about this past year’s “chamber revival,” as well as the nonprofit’s future goals for 2018 during an interview with KHTS Radio Wednesday.

Musella started his position on Jan. 1, 2017 with several issues that needed to be resolved.

“When we started the year, I said, ‘We’re going to make the chamber bigger, better and stronger,’” said Musella.

The chamber had financial matters that needed to be settled, the biggest one being their lease on Tourney Road.

The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber was paying over $10,000 a month for a space that was three times larger than what they needed, according to Musella.

They were able to get out of the lease and relocated to City Hall, where they became financially stable.

“For too long we were focused on, how do we pay the rent, how do we pay the employees, how do we get more money in,” said Musella. “Now that we’ve been able to lighten the load, we’re able to be far more efficient.”

The chamber cut overhead expenses and renegotiated every contract and agreement, making them 100 percent debt free, according to Musella.

Related: COC Chancellor Joins Santa Clarita Valley Chamber Board

“The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber from then is a completely different organization,” said Musella. “We have literally taken this organization down to the studs, down to the foundation, and redone everything top to bottom and across the board.”

The chamber’s goals for 2018 have already come into effect, starting with the addition of COC Chancellor Dr. Diane Van Hook on the board.

Her active position during the new year will bring leadership trainings for mid- and senior-executives in the Santa Clarita Valley to solve issues that affect businesses.

Another goal for 2018 is the return of the business expo, which allows businesses to show off who they are and what they do, according to Musella.

Adding to the 2018 goals, the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce plans to take on “retail walks” with local elected officials to talk with businesses about their concerns.

“We’re back, we’re bigger, we’re better, we’re stronger and 2018 is going to be an absolute terrific banner for the chamber,” said Musella.

Although Musella’s term as chairman is over on Dec. 31, he plans to take on a supportive role for the chamber.

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